Hi! For most of my reading journey I considered myself a fantasy reader (my holy grail is ASOIF ,but recently I read Silva Rerum and it completely hooked me, so now I’m trying to dip my toes into historical fiction too but I am in dire need of some recs
I’m pretty picky, so I’d be really grateful for recommendations that fit loosely this
medieval era up to the 18th century max (no WWI/WWII or civil war)
genuinely engaging plot, at least a little interesting or so weird that its intriguing
historical accuracy & detail,I love everyday-life specifics (customs, superstitions, living conditions, laws etc.)
optional romance,minor subplot, the story should still work if you removed the romance. ( love Jaime/Brienne breadcrumbs) or maybe just emotional would be great , maybe some betrail (just dont tell me beforehand xd)
But if you have awesome, heart-stopping, fist slamming, mind boggling romance with really interesting backstory hit me up but i would rather go for no romance than regurgitated birdfood romance
I am also a sucker for ornate, archaic wording which is still readable (with or without glossary 🫣😅😅)
What I’ve tried for reference
Welsh Blades / King’s Man — great setting, immersive writing, fun banter, but it became too romance-centered for me. But the first half was fun
The Pillars of the Earth — loved the cathedral building “I never thought about that” aspects and the historical events, but the romance actually irritated me with "oh this was written by a man" type of vibe
A Vision of Light — very immersive and readable, hooked me from the start, but it dragged at times and I was unsure about the amount of god in it
Spinning Silver and Uprooted – just meh for me, I donno why
Paladins Grace – great but too comfy
in vein I also read Sevenwaters by Juliet Marillier and Kushiels dart trilogy
on my tbr: Here be Dragons
by No-Pirate-4848